In short: excellent organisationIn full: 2nd time of doing this and the organisation is still second to none. Friendly and happy marshals. Good crowd support around most of route. Course has changed and seemed more hilly but done to avoid flooding so understandable. I did the rocket 5k day before which was good fun. Got an extra cows head medal which is one of my favourite ever! Baggage collection spot on. Finish in stadium superb. Nice tec tee. Everything that you need done well. Very well done to the organisers and good people of MK.Date of review: May 6, 2016

In short: Very well organised eventIn full: Although the Milton Keynes Marathon route has up and down hills in most parts, it is still a great event. People can't compare it with the London Marathon because London is flat all the way. London is probably the flattest marathon in the world !! If I want to get a good time, I just need to do more hill work training beforehand. My marathon PB is in Milton Keynes in 2014 because in that year I did a lot of hill work training and I was in good form. This year, due to my posterior cruciate ligament injury and flu, I missed nearly a month of training between February and March. Therefore, I didn't do well in Milton Keynes. I still enjoyed very much the atmosphere. It is a very well organised event and every runner was being well looked after starting from baggage storage, water and Gatorade stations every 3 miles, gel stations in half way mark and then every other miles, fantastic marshalling, lovely local spectators, first aid support from St John’s Ambulance all the way to post race medals, goodie bags and T-shirts. Milton Keynes is only an hour drive from London. I will definitely come back next year :-)Date of review: May 5, 2016

In short: My first marathon was well organisedIn full: Their organisational plan works, even if the bib printers cannot quite get the job right.Unfortunately, arriving by car was not as smooth as hoped but I leapt out of my chauffeur driven limo in the traffic jam to walk to the stadium and met my lady there later on.At the stadium, baggage, changing etc was fine. The starting pens are okay and though things are uncertain, I was not unduly distressed.Both marshalls and support were positively cheering and pleasing to the spirit.I live somewhere with hills so I think the course is flat. An underpass is not a hill. There are no challenging climbs in my opinion. This, and its urban setting, limit the impact of the scenery.I wish to return when I find an alternative to sickly sweet gels and get in training not interrupted by flu. That is my pathetic excuse for paralysis by calf cramp just by the concrete cows after mile 19. Call it unfinished business.Date of review: May 4, 2016

In short: Undulating!! I don't think so.In full: Organisation and support was great. The run was also scenic in parts. Running through housing estates was a bit strange. I was advised to make hills part of my training programme. Even training on some of the Welsh valley roads did not prepare me for the unrelentless up and down course. Second half of the race was very tough and there were inclines right til the end. Missed my pb but do have the sense of accomplishment!!Date of review: May 4, 2016

In short: Are you calling that flat?!In full: Sign up for my first marathon and chose MK because it was "flatter, more scenic, no big hill at mile 24 and 60% less underpasses". Well, what a lie... Check your strava for the altimetry. A painful hilly course. Happy to finish the race but overall it was a waste of time and money.Date of review: May 4, 2016

In short: A challenging course, fantastic support & awesome stadium finishIn full: So, this was my 4th year running MK Marathon, its my home town and the organisation does us proud.Course changes from last year, made for me personally a better marathon, less city centre & on to the smaller roads/redways quicker, a lot more scenic. It is a challenging course for sure not flat and there are twists and turns but to me personally that adds to the race, who wants a continous flat road for miles. You do come off MK knowing you have run a marathon, its hard work - but the stadium finish makes for a special reward! Once again fantastic organisation, great marshals & crew - super stadium start with clockwork parking, baggage, more loos than you can ever need - on time start, with pacers to suit all abilities and of course the good people of MK out in mass on course to encourage & support, with the occasional jelly bean and oranges so welcome on a hot day! Great water stops and a now welcome feature of MK the writing on the wall as it were, funny messages of support & encouragement written on the redways to make you smile & help you along the way. If you are looking for a challenging marathon, with super organisation - memorable finish, great medal (changes each year) lovely shirt too this year - then in my opinion MK is the place to be, great atmosphere too. See you next year Date of review: May 4, 2016

In short: Quick in parts undulating in othersIn full: First time at Milton Keynes marathon and really enjoyed it. I didn't have vip parking but it was easy to get parking at the local industrial estates. The organisation and marshalling were superb.The course in the first half was really quick with a few lumpy bits.The second half is a bit hillier. The stadium finish was superbDate of review: May 3, 2016

In short: Great organisation but the course was terrible in the 2nd halfIn full: I entered this for the first time since 2013 based on the promise of a flatter course and 'that hill at 24 being gone altogether'. Both of which turned out to be complete lies. If you look at everyone's Strava upload, no ones elevation plot resembles the published one and 'that hill' was still there, just at 23miles this time. I've never seen so many people walk during a marathon, because the course is so physically and mentally draining. It's a shame that the organisers cant seem to get the course right because everything else in in place for a great event.Date of review: May 3, 2016

In short: Home town on the new course In full: I don't usually run an event twice , and since running this in 2014 I volunteered , this year I ran as the course had been changed and I was part of a year long programme hosted by our running club helping new runners from novice to marathon finishers , I accompanied 2 fab friends around the course to the finish line . Organisation was superb , parked easily , loads of loos , bag drop quick , marshals and volunteers on course were super , cheerful, encouraging , and great to interact with. I was initially excited at the new course changes , but I prefer old course , this year was less in CMK which meant not as many crowds or entertainment on course this time , missed Campbell park. The route had huge long stretches of enclosed redways which lacked atmosphere, and seemed as hilly as before , I had hoped was flatter lol! Fab points: volunteers , finishers tees, and medals were awesome . My goody bag only had 2 gels and a bottle of water in ?? There were no snacks left . I love my home town events so will always be a part of this one either running or volunteering Date of review: May 3, 2016

In short: Not as flat and fast as they make out, good organisation, lacked atmosphere and supportIn full: Pros - very well organised, and friendly. Friendly pacers and friendly marshals and people at the end giving out medals.Cons - not as flat and fast as advertised, lots of sharp turns and hilly segments, having run Amsterdam this seemed quite hilly for a 'flat' race. Lots of obstacles such as bollards in the way to watch out for. Roads not all closed and also cyclists and pedestrians on the route.Not a PB course for me. Not much support along the way compared to larger city marathons. Glad I've done it but wouldn't do it agsinDate of review: May 2, 2016